Helmet
Helmet
Helmet
With any unit that becomes famous, any of their “stuff” that they used becomes a valuable commodity. When this becomes apparent; there is always some enterprising person that will take advantage of the unknowledgeable collector.
I did “reproduction” badges earlier, so they will not show up here.
I just call it the "Helmet"; it has shown up several times on e-bay. Nice patina, marked with the scorpion, 1940 New Zealand and inside with a name of a trooper and service number. However there is no Trooper New Zealand Trooper by that name and service number in my LRDG data base.
The Sterling Silver Identification Bracelet, another item that has recently shown up on e-bay. Has the name of A. Willis with Military Identification #2657743 & LRDG below the service number. Has some nice silver proof marks (Egyptian) on the back (which I have not checked). However when checking the service number; it was issued to a Trooper in the Cold Stream Guards, that had at one time served in Palestine. I cannot however find his name as ever serving with the LRDG.
The "Flasks". Some one sent these photos; said the items belonged to Trooper Ron Tinker and wanted me to authenticate and value them for him. First one, has a repro cap badge and "Long Range Desert Group" inscribed on the base. Proof marks indicate "William Hutton & Sons" BP indicates a silver plate. I cannot find a reference to a possible date. Second flask is on a different style, unusual scorpion, no proofs, but inscribed LRDG and Kufra above and below the scorpion. All of the inscriptions look like they are done with an "Electric pencil".
Another "Flask" that showed up on e-bay with a bunch of this officers memorabilia. Reported as LRDG, leather covered and marked as you see here. No records as ever serving with the LRDG.
This las item; was on loan to me many years ago. I really thought at the time in was authentic. Well used sheath with worn (Repro) Cap Badge attached - before I knew better. With "Fairbarn Sykes Dagger", the owner lived in the San Diego area and let me display it with other stuff when we were working on the truck. Wouldn't sell it to me at the time, now I'm glad he didn't. Flashes were my reproductions.
